Thread: Kovalchuk Part VI-The Return of Lombardi?-UPDATE IK A Devil again thread in NHL TALK

As a Kings fan I'm not getting my hopes up too high. The chances of Kovalchuk going anywhere other than NJ are very slim I think.

They will give him a different deal ASAP for sure.

Originally Posted by Bojanglz

I am sure he is referring to people thinking Kovi could still be a King. He will still sign in NJ though and if it ends up being even lower than the Kings had originally offered then maybe those will realize that he never wanted to play here in the first place.

They will still be in cap trouble though when they get a new contract for him done.

If he signs for less than the Kings offered, that would indeed be a slap in the face of the Franchise.

Originally Posted by shoot2scor

Okay, so for those that just think it is automatic that he will sign in NJ, my question to you is; What is going to give?

Is Kovy, going to take less money?
Is NJ going to take a higher cap hit?
Of you think it is going to be a compromise?

I don't know how much more of a cap hit NJ will be able to stand.

I have a feeling it will be a little of both. The price will drop but also take a little higher cap hit. I would say it may be a $75-$85 mil deal but less years like 12.

Originally Posted by ketel&tonic

That's a lot of Facepalm KT.

LA Kings Insider

Keep in mind that if the League fines the Devils, who knows how much cap space they'll have to spend on Kovalchuk.

Originally Posted by shadowalk

If he signs for less than the Kings offered, that would indeed be a slap in the face of the Franchise.

Eh, I think it's more a case of him having painted himself in a corner with that press conference. He couldn't go anywhere else at this point. It wouldn't look good to the new team at all. Nor do I think Lombardi is going to entertain the idea of bringing him in after all of this.

Originally Posted by shoot2scor

Okay, so for those that just think it is automatic that he will sign in NJ, my question to you is; What is going to give?

Is Kovy, going to take less money?
Is NJ going to take a higher cap hit?
Of you think it is going to be a compromise?

I don't know how much more of a cap hit NJ will be able to stand.

Add possible penalties that reduce their cap further and it is not longer a slam dunk that he returns to NJ. Personally I never looked at his post-contract comments as anything more than trying to ingratiate himself with the NJ fans.

I'm already over it. I have a suggestion as to where he can shove his 10 mil/year demands and it is not anywhere near LA.

Let him rot in the KHL. Good riddance!